“Today’s sale was a great triumph, with the extremely rare and beautiful Anatolian marble idol, popularly called a “Stargazer,” leading the day, selling for an exceptional $1,808,000,” said G. Max Bernheimer, Christie's International Head for Antiquities and Molly Morse Limmer, Specialist in the department. "This is a world auction record for a Kiliya idol and more than doubles the previous auction record for a "Stargazer." It was also by far the highest price for any antiquity sold at auction worldwide this Spring season. For works of art of the highest quality there was incredible enthusiasm, primarily from international private buyers as well as from institutions and trade clients. The splendid Roman marble cuirassed statue soared to $576,000, while the beautiful Roman marble Isis achieved $240,000. The Egyptian section was led by a Royal shabti for the Nubian king Senkamenisken at $138,000, and a limestone relief from the Old Kingdom, which sold for $96,000 immediately after the sale. An appealing South Arabian alabaster lion fetched more than five times the estimate selling for $114,000. The sold total for the day was well over $5,000,000, reaffirming Christie's dominant market share in this field. We look forward with great anticipation to our December sales of Antiquities and Ancient Jewelry."